De Klerk refutes Lions player exodus

The President of the Golden Lions Rugby Union Kevin de Klerk on Friday issued the following statement in the wake of the SARU General Council decision to exclude the MTN Lions from the Super Rugby competition in 2013.

“As stated before, the decision taken at the SARU General Council meeting yesterday to eliminate the Lions from Super Rugby in 2013 is very disappointing. Media speculation of an immediate exodus of players have created further uncertainty amongst supporters and stakeholders and Lions management therefore deem it prudent to confirm that the larger group of senior players are contracted at least until 31 October 2013. This list of senior players so contracted include, amongst others: